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Vivian Budnik and Mary Lee newly minted ‘ELUMS’

Rising UMMS faculty graduate from Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine program for women

  Mary Lee, MD, and Vivian Budnik, PhD, (center) were joined at by School of Medicine Dean Terence Flotte and Luanne Thorndyke, MD, at the ELAM graduation ceremonies in April.
 

Mary Lee, MD, and Vivian Budnik, PhD, (center) were joined at by School of Medicine Dean Terence Flotte and Luanne Thorndyke, MD, at the ELAM graduation ceremonies in April. 

UMass Medical School’s Vivian Budnik, PhD, and Mary Lee, MD, became ‘ELUMS’—graduates of the of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women at the Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia—at ceremonies held there last month.

The ceremonies marked the completion of a year-long fellowship in which Dr. Budnik, chair and professor of neurobiology, and Dr. Lee, chair and professor of pediatrics, professor of cell & developmental biology and physician-in-chief of the UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, were immersed in the skills, perspective and knowledge required to lead and manage effectively in today’s complex academic health center environment. They also made the most of the extensive networking and mentoring opportunities ELAM offers for women who have attained leadership roles in academic medicine.

The ELAM fellowship year culminates in a forum where the fellows, along with their deans and top experts, explore a new methodology or strategy for addressing a timely issue facing academic health center leadership. Budnik’s project focused on formalizing a sustainable mentoring program in the Department of Neurobiology to foster a scientific environment at the departmental level where in addition to excellence in science, the goal is also to create the synergism, mentoring and support required for doing science in this era. For her ELAM project, Lee strove to expand existing networks and leverage cross-departmental and regional collaborations to enhance the visibility and academic reputation of the Department of Pediatrics and the Children’s Medical Center.

Budnik and Lee are the latest in a growing core of women faculty leaders at UMMS to participate in ELAM. Others include:

  • Joanna Cain, MD, professor of obstetrics & gynecology and director of faculty talent management for the Office of Faculty Affairs;
  • Deborah M. DeMarco, MD, professor of medicine, associate dean for graduate medical education and senior associate dean for clinical affairs;
  • Ellen M. Gravallese, MD, the Myles J. McDonough Chair in Rheumatology, professor of medicine and cell biology and chief of the Division of Rheumatology;
  • Julia V. Johnson, MD, chair and professor of obstetrics & gynecology;
  • Jean King, PhD, vice chair and professor of psychiatry and associate provost for biomedical science research;
  • Katherine Luzuriaga, MD, the UMass Memorial Health Care Chair in Biomedical Research; professor of pediatrics and medicine, vice provost for clinical and translational research and associate provost for global health;
  • Michele P. Pugnaire, MD, professor of family medicine & community health and medicine and senior associate dean for educational affairs;
  • Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, the Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair, vice chair and professor of medicine, associate dean for clinical & translational research and director of the MD/PhD program; and
  • Luanne E. Thorndyke, MD, professor of medicine and vice provost for faculty affairs.

Related links on UMassMedNow:
Jean King named latest ELAM fellow
Two at UMMS selected for executive leadership in academic medicine fellowship
New Joy McCann Professor for Women in Medicine named